From a Page in an Old Book

An extract from ‘My Desperate Plea’:

“I fear that there will be no true end for this war. The longer it continues, the father that end seems to become. It seems to cloud even things that I take true joy in. Love, even you…it has been so long since I felt your presence as I once could, and even through my gift, it has become clouded. I fear for you. My heart longs to be at your side.

Please, I ask that you grant me a sign, that you live, that you are well. Until then, I cannot believe the assurances that I am often given. Even though my trust in you is forever unwavering, it is my weaknesses that will make me worry for you. Our enemies are not kind. It is my selfish wish to know you are safe. But know if you need me, I will come to your side. It is becoming harder not to do so. Despite that we agreed we must focus on this war, it would seem that I fail in this endeavour.

Please, until then, I beg of you, be safe.” 

Just Ghosting Around

The time has come, time to showcase the best that Staffordshire University cartoon and comic arts has to offer.  So get you hipster glasses and comic books ready, because it's time to nerd out over 2016’S SHOW AND TELL degree show……

Now back your regular scheduled program:

*slumped over desk*

Tara: I thought it would never be over…..but we survived….I….I almost feel choked up….

Nadia: Speak for yourself, I still got overtime for the rest of this week

Alastair: Isn’t that brilliant, Miss Washington? Now that you both are free, how about you man the -

Nadia: HOLD THE FUCK UP!!! NO!!! I have too much to do! I’m busy moving and doing work for the agency! I can’t afford any more work, you slave driver of a butler!!!!! +.+

Alastair: Well now, not even to go to Comic Con Leicester? The debut of a certain book should be coming out then, oh dear the name escapes me, what was it now?

Tara: What, you mean Dreamwalkers? It’s that based on the S.O.S agency? How they enter dreams to battle those Supernatural monsters, the Onreios? Oh wait, hang on, I remember seeing an advertisement for is. I have the cover page here

 

Alastair: ‘Oh yes, that is the one. Also, there was another one based on our organisation. It auspicious old cases of ours.

Nadia: Yeah, it’s by that newbie agent, ??? is is garding right? But I heard it's going to be delayed for a bit ‘n Hay!!!! No, I’m not going! I’m not doing it! I’m far too busy!!!!!

Tara: I guess I could do it...On my own….alone….no backup or company...Having to fend for myself against customers and hidden enemy agents…

Nadia:.... Great! Then you don’t need me -^.^-

Tara: *Loooooooooong puppy dog eyes look* B-but….Naddy….

Nadia: Ah no, not working today, sister -.-’

Tara: *Super Puppy Dog Stare Go!*

Nadia: Heffa, I said no!

Tara: I see how it is...Fine fine, but if I get murdered or something I’m haunting your ass to hell and back.

Nadia: Bitch, try it +.+

Alister: Now, now... What if I offered a raise? Would that sweeten the deal? *whisper amount*

Nadia:*Pound signs in eyes* OK! When are we leaving!!!!!!!!!   

Tara: Woooooow, that puts our relationship into perspective, huh? I see how it is *sticks out tongue* Uh...Anyway, I think I heard about it - it’s the 4th and 5th of June, right?

Nadia: But money, tho? Money means I can eat. You try living off one meal a day ‘n you come back to me TT.TT

Alister: *Chuckle* Oh when is the pandora book coming out?

Nadia: Who knows? The last I heard, the agent was struggling to finish it. I think she’s got about 28 pages left to do. Sad, I wanted to see the full thing. Apparently, she did a tester just to see how it would look. I had a quick look and was impressed at what I saw, so I don’t mind waiting a bit. I think it should be out by the other con…. I think.

Tara: Oh yeah, the one on the 11th, right? Which was that one again?

Alister: ‘Mall-Con’, I do believe.

Tara: That’s the one

Nadia: Oh, it’s the day after ‘my birt day!’

Alister: Is that a quote?

Nadia: Don’t worry about it, old man, you wouldn’t get it :P

Alastair: Old man? *raised eyebrow*

Tara:...I’m so not getting involved in this…

Nadia: What is it, feeling your age, dear? Maybe you should sit down, gramps, you’re looking kind of frail *smug look*

Tara: Welp! Would you look at the time - gotta go! *zips away, slamming door behind her*

Nadia: Don’t be afraid of him, T, he wont do anything.

Alastair: *Shadow looming behind Nadia* Oh? Is that so?

Nadia: Oh, come on, Alie, you know I only jest :P Besides, what are you really here for? You can’t be just here to check up on us ALL the time. Could there be something you want or need?

Alister: For a child, you’re smarter than you seem.

Nadia: Child? Well in comparison to you I might as well be. So I’ll say it again: what are you here for?

Alister: I need an agent out in the field to tail team QBO.226.

Nadia: The team ??? is managing? Why?

Tara: *slips back into the room* Sometimes if you’re too close to a situation, you can miss things. Not to mention that these guys arn’t from our own ranks. We might need to make sure Phoenix doesn’t try and recruit them into being double agents when ???’s back is turned. I could just be guessing, though.

Alastair: Exactly. An i need you both to take turns tailing  team QBO.226. And Phenix, there in the far east right now. Our agents are stretched thin as it is, so I need someone reliable to do this. And I can see no better agents than the both of you.

Nadia: I’m not a field agent anymore. You know what happened last time… I don’t think I can do it. I’m sorry.

Alastair: You won’t exactly be a field agent... More of a... ghost. And you both will only get involved when necessary.

Nadia: I’ll think about it.

Tara: For now, let’s focus on what we can do, but let us know when you need us, Al. We’ll let you know then.

Alastair: The position will need to be filled in four months from now. Please keep me posted, girls. *Bows and leaves room*

Tara: Well, things keep getting more and more interesting around here, huh? Four months...A lot can change in that time….

Nadia: ...Yeah…. change…. *stares into the distance*

Tara: *Watches Nadia for a moment*....Uh….well, it could be that we will have dealt with Phoenix by then! So, let’s get focusing on what we’re going to be doing. After all, you get that raise for going to that con coming up, remember?

Nadia: Oh… right *snaps out of it* Yeah, do you think we’ll make quite a bit on it?

Tara: Eh, you know I’m not too good at guessing that kinda stuff, but it should still make for an interesting experience, right? Though let’s not blow all our money on a celebration this time, kay?

Nadia: What was that, dear? I think I may have gone a little hard of hearing *grin*

Tara: Oh? Did our ages switch? Are you the one getting on in years now? Shall I get you a hearing aid, granny? *smug grin*

Nadia: *Glare* Fuck you!!!!!! +.+

Tara: *Winks* Later, darling! *laughs*

Nadia: *Shivers* You’re beginning to sound like HIM!!!!! *war flashbacks to ???*

Tara: Yeah, well, I have worked with him before. Anyway, enough being all traumatised and crap! Don’t you have work to do?

Nadia: Dont remind me...

[END]

It's The Final Count Down

Nadia: Damn it, why isn't any of this ready yet! We only have a few hours left!!!!

Tara: Um....would now be a good time to point out I'm pretty much done? Just a bit...Oh god not the death glare! Spare meeeeeee!

Nadia: Try me today! Try meeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!

Tara: Nope, nope, nuh uh, no way. I like living, thanks!

Nadia: That's what I thought. I've had enough drama last night.

Tara: Hey, look on the bright side, as soon as we're done we can go and party or get drunk or get through our depression with chocolate and forget about this whole thing until the next deadline comes up, or we get more projects dumped on us.

Nadia: You mean the thing they wanted us to do in June? How spread out our we? I feel like Arbie in her dream house and many, many careers. Jesus, I thought I was an agent, damn it! This is not what I signed up for +.+

Tara: Yeah, pretty much. Hopefully we'll finally figure out something so that we aren't pretty much like butter on too much bread. At least ??? is getting us a few more agents soon. We just have to look on the bright side!

Nadia: Butter on.... honey, are you hungry?

Tara: Uh....maybe? I didn't have breakfast today. Heh heh....*blushes*

Nadia: Umm humm! well its almost lunch, and well lets just finish up here so we can chill later. :P

Tara: Yus! We're on this! The food is cheering us on! It believes in us!!!

Nadia: Well, if you want it to go faster, you know what you can do?

Tara: Put it on a bullet train?

Nadia: Fuck you, Tara!!! you could 'help me with my work' *wink wink*

Tara: Best I can do is help you print things. Madam Pouvell would murder us if I helped more than that. I'd rather not end up like the science department last time they blew the place up.

Nadia: What she doesn't know wont hurt her *Grin!!!!*

Tara: But she knows everything......

Nadia: not particularly, I sole a hover board - the ones we used during the breach 3 years prior - and she still doesn't know *Grin*

Tara: Ok, maybe she doesn't, but Alastair certainly does.

Alastair: Yes, indeed. There is nothing I do not know.

Nadia: Then you should also know that there was dedicated hacker from our old friends, who tried to break in and I spent most of the time playing cat and mouse with him. And the fact that if you were really mad you would have done something long ago AND if I hadn't stolen the boards we wouldn't have had an advantage during the breach.

Alastair: That doesn't mean I wasn't aware. You were handling it just fine. Is it not, after all, your job, miss 'I'm an agent'?

Nadia: You know... I really do hate you sometimes. Just because I have an injury and I'm technically unfit for field work anymore, doesn't mean I can't shoot a gun.

Alastair: Your complaint is noted, Miss Williams. Now, I believe if you have the energy to complain, then you have the energy to work. If you will excuse the pun...hop to it.

Nadia: Fuck you!!!!!!!!!!!

Tara: *Laughing*

[END]

24 Seconds to Save the World.

???: Everyone seems to be rushing around a lot this week

Nadia: No shit! We have very important documents to complete by Tuesday at 5pm! The future of the world depends on it!

???: Melodramatic much?

Naida: So what are you doing here, anyway?

???: Well, there are ‘Important documents to complete by tuesday at 5pm as  the future of the world depends on it.’

Nadia: YOU!!!!!! +.+

Tara: *Chuckle* Did you really expect to get a straight answer out of him? Anyway, last thing we need is extra distractions. Just think of him like...a bad dream or something. Ignore him long enough and he’ll go away.

???: ...Rude.

Nadia: Bad dream? He’s more like a series of night terrors you can’t get rid of.

Tara: Bully for Somnus

Nadia: Well, I do still have that S.O.S card *grin*

???: Wow, you guys are just plain mean today, huh? Stress getting to you?

Nadia: Read my lips: Nooooo Shiiiiiit! ‘N oi! ???, aren’t you supposed to be leaving for Japan soon?

Tara: Oh yeah, that’s right - There’s been some rumours to that effect. Something about those new recruits?

???: Well, I feel persecuted today. *Sigh* But, you’re right. Still, I don’t plan on getting involved just yet. My main objective is to record and document the new team. To be honest, I have a feeling we may be mixing water and oil. Or fire and oil. May have to deal with that explosion.

Nadia: pft! That bad, huh?

???: Just imagine having someone who acts similar enough to you to be annoying, then do a complete 180 on their personality. That’s what we’re dealing with here.

Nadia: Well, that can only end well.

Tara: ...I’ll grab the fire extinguishers - we have country sized fire extinguishers, right? ‘Cause if we don’t, Science Department totally need to get on that

Nadia & ???: *Shivers* Please, god no!

???: Hey! Don’t give them new material PLEASE!!!!

Tara:....Should probably remember not to say anything to any of the CUC then. I hear there’s some new guy in one of the other departments that we should probably look out for mad scientist tendencies.

Nadia: You’re right, but isn’t there already some like that down in the science department?

???: Dr Remington?

Nadia: No, the other guy...damn his name escapes me. But, rumor has it that he’s been doing a lot of unsavory research lately. I think we’ll need to to an evaluation or at least some sort of check soon.

Tara: Makes sense to anyway, considering that break in we had last month. If they aren’t checking discretely already then they’ll be doing a full blown investigation soon, I bet

Alister: It is already underway, we unearthed a couple of moles which I have..disciplined. I will not allow this incident to tarnish my Mistress’ organisation.

Nadia: Eeeek! Where the hell did you come from!!!!!!

???: Well, when a man and a woman love each other very much-

Nadia: I’ll kill you one day, you know that!

Alister: *Ahem*...I have been here for a while, Miss Williams.  Beside *whisper* how’s the artifact research going?

Tara: Well...there’s still bits of it that’s eluding us a bit. We need a little more time, but we’ll get it. Besides, we got that other deadline dumped on us as well. If you guys didn’t keep piling work on us, we would have it done already. Sheesh, I know that this is a supernatural organization and all, but unless you forget, we’re human. Some of us need to do things. Like eat. And sleep.

Nadia: Speak for yourself, minus the eating part, I’ll sleep when I’m dead.

Tara: You die and I’ll bring you back so I can kill you again. No way am I doing all your work too!

Alastair & ???: Pft! Well, we’ll leave you to it.

Nadia:  What ev’s, next time you come, bring Chinese food.

???: Your wish is my command! Or something. Either way, I got it. Don’t you worry your pretty little head. You need it focused on all that work you have to get done for Tuesday at 5pm Remember: The future of the world depends on it! *skips away*

Nadia: Can I kill him yet? *draws gun*

Tara: Not if you want that Chinese food you can’t.

Nadia: *grumbles* damn!

[END]

Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

 

Voice :…. Madam Povell, come on, it needs updating! We’re not in the 17^th century anymore!!!

 

Madam Povell: I see no issue with it, so there’s no need to change it. It has been that way for centuries. I would rather not fix what isn’t broken, as they say.

 

Voice: Yes it has and it’s design was out-dated centuries ago. *Sigh* Will you attempt to look at the new design? It’s still in that old English style, but we’ve just given it a much needed upgrade.

 

Madam Povell: hmm…. Well, the design is not ‘that’ bad. Isn’t it a bit too much?  Alastair, what do you think?

 

Alastair: I’m your butler, Ma’am - whatever makes you happy, makes me happy. But it may be wise to update old models sometimes, don’t you think?

 

Madam Povell: *Sigh*… I suppose…. A change wouldn’t be too much of a bad thing….. I guess I’m defeated here.

 

Voice: YES!!!!

 

Nadia:  she doesn’t seem too pleased there, does she?

 

Tara: Eh, she’ll get over it. If we’re going to be taken seriously then we have to keep up with progression and all that jazz.

 

Nadia: yeah, I get ya. The old one wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t exactly... ya know. I must say I do like the new design here compared it to the old one.

 

 

 

Tara: Yeah, same here. And its not like unrecognisable, either – we still got our idol. I like it ^.^

 

Nadia: I think she made it herself way back when, so I think that’s why she’s getting sentimental over it, but hey, I can relate. But anyway, back to the book…. I mention's something about Paradian law, and lady Paramae-sama,

 

Tara: Oh? That name rings a bell….What exactly does it say?

 

Nadia: I think if I explain it, I'm going to have to go into a bit of back story. But I’ll make it short. Have you ever heard of Plato's lost city?

 

Tara: Pretty hard not to know about it. That myth’s shown up a lot – wait, you’re saying Paramae has something to do with that? Like…it actually fully exists and not just a fable?

 

Nadia: Yep! Atlantis, and Paradias are one in the same. A few of the gods implanted that myth into the mind of a young Plato. And the patron god….. Goddess Mother Paramae. Originally, it was a land for 'half breeds', or so the legend goes. But that’s not what's the interesting part: It's more of the land itself is a living being. With it's own flow of time…. Well, I guess it would - Paramae is the Goddess of Fate and all, but how long that is…. Well it's anyone's guess. Apparently the third and final book is there.

 

Tara: Huh….Well, its no wonder no one's just accidentally wandered in or something. I guess since the land is sentient, it probably confuses people to leave or go around it – kinda like what happens at the Bermuda triangle. And if the third book is there….well, I guess if nothing else its probably in the safest place it could be, considering.

 

Nadia: Yeah, I guess your right. Apparently, the land picks its residents, depending on your circumstances. Also,

there's something else written in here, but I can’t quite make it out. Can you?

 

Tara: Hm….let’s see….It looks like it says something about people who have been there in the past, and got some kind of blessing – from Paramae, maybe? – can then come and go as they like. Otherwise, you actually need someone with that ‘blessing’ to be able to find the place at all, I mean, if the land didn’t just pluck you up already, that is.

 

Nadia: Is there anything on the next page? *turns page and blushes* Oh my, it’s another love letter!

 

 

 

‘I know that our duties have been keeping us apart far longer than either of us would like. If it were not for that, I would prefer never to stray from your side. I feel far more at home in your presence than anywhere else in this world.

 

However, I have created a gift for you, so that even if distance keeps us apart, we shall never be far away. We may always remain connected, no matter what. I hope that this will suffice, for now. My gift shall help you through any times. If ever you need me, for anything at all, I can feel through my gift, and experience as if I were there beside you. We share a spiritual connection that cannot be broken by mere spells. It is my hope that, through this gift, we shall never remain apart, no matter the distance. And our love never barred.’

 

 

 

Tara: Awwwwww

 

Nadia: Well!

 

Tara:….Out of all that…that is what you picked up on? Really?

 

Nadia: I said nothing there the one talking about ‘I can feel through my gift, and experience as if I were there beside you.’ What is that gift was that. Was that an old school….

 

Tara: Nope, nope, I draw the line on that sentence. I don’t want to know. We’d probably get cursed by some pissy god for thinking they are ungodly.

 

Nadia: pffffft!

 

[END]

 

 

Show and Tell

 

 

Nadia: Soooo, I guess it’s all coming together now and I guess we had a good run.

Tara: You making it sound like it’s the end of the world or something.

Nadia: I guess you’re right. Maybe it’s not the end of the world, but this chapter of our lives is over and a new one’s just about to begin, I guess

Tara: Feeling cliche, are we?

Nadia: Shut it, you.

Tara: It’s going to get tougher from here on out, but we can handle it. Hey, at least at the show we can gather new recruits.

Nadia: I guess you’re right, if we’re going out we’re going out with a bang, damn it!

Tara: *Giggle* Pick one: be forlorn or be inspired.

Nadia: I’m a woman, I can switch emotions and change my mind if I want to dam it!!!!

Tara: Uuuuuh huuuh.

Nadia: The show’s in June right?

Tara: It starts on the 10th, if memory serves me right.

Nadia Here’s the flyer.

 

Tara: so be ready It’s our final performance of the night. Well at least for now. We’ll be back very very soon!

Nadia: you’re right!

[END]